Best Cities for Families in Maine
Maine ranks #14 of 50 for families, with a families score of 78.6. Brunswick is its best city for families at 72.3.
- Maine, all states
- #14 of 50
- Population
- 17,652
Why Maine Works for Families
Maine is a strong state for families, ranking #14 out of 50. With moderate schools, a low violent crime rate of 93.2 per 100K residents, and a median household income of $76,442, the state offers a solid foundation for raising children. Housing costs track close to the national average with a cost-of-living index of 97.1.
Education is the single most important factor for families choosing where to live, and Maine shows mixed results on this front. The state's high school graduation rate stands at 86.1%, roughly in line with national norms. Families relocating here should research individual school districts carefully, as statewide metrics (education score: 52/100) mask significant local variation. Center-based infant care runs $16,144 a year — a meaningful expense, close to the 50-state average.
Safety is the other pillar of family-friendly living. Maine excels here with one of the lowest violent crime rates in the country at 93.2 incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI estimate). With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, household expenses are close to the national norm — neither a major advantage nor a dealbreaker.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Families
| # City | Grade | Families score | Overall | Education | Safety | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Brunswick | A+ | 72.3 | 68.8 | 78 | 99 | 64 | 17,652 |
| 2South Portland | A+ | 71.5 | 69.1 | 77 | 95 | 56 | 26,930 |
| 3Westbrook | A+ | 71.5 | 68.1 | 81 | 88 | 64 | 20,775 |
| 4Portland | A+ | 69.3 | 67.1 | 80 | 77 | 57 | 68,854 |
| 5Bath | A | 68.4 | 64.5 | 75 | 97 | 71 | 8,815 |
| 6Saco | A | 68.2 | 65.8 | 70 | 96 | 64 | 20,819 |
| 7Old Town | B | 67.1 | 58.5 | 63 | 96 | 79 | 7,470 |
| 8Ellsworth | B+ | 66.8 | 61.5 | — | 85 | 80 | 8,657 |
| 9Old Orchard Beach | B+ | 66.6 | 62.2 | 85 | 91 | 66 | 9,244 |
| 10Caribou | B | 66.0 | 56.5 | — | 95 | 88 | 7,382 |
| 11Brewer | B | 65.4 | 57.7 | — | 91 | 76 | 9,652 |
| 12Waterville | B | 64.3 | 57.8 | 67 | 82 | 83 | 17,077 |
| 13Presque Isle | C+ | 63.1 | 54.8 | 65 | 81 | 86 | 8,736 |
| 14Biddeford | B+ | 62.9 | 59.1 | 74 | 76 | 64 | 22,498 |
| 15Orono | B | 62.6 | 57.7 | 80 | — | 73 | 11,151 |
| 16Sanford | B | 62.4 | 57.8 | 68 | 78 | 71 | 22,247 |
| 17Auburn | B | 61.8 | 56.9 | 58 | 76 | 76 | 24,602 |
| 18Lewiston | C+ | 61.7 | 54.2 | 60 | 79 | 79 | 38,324 |
| 19Augusta | C+ | 61.5 | 54.7 | 66 | 68 | 83 | 19,077 |
| 20Bangor | C+ | 60.6 | 55.0 | 68 | 64 | 78 | 31,938 |
City families scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out. City scores for families also weigh the county's expected yearly building losses from natural hazards (FEMA), lower is better; the share of adults without health insurance (CDC PLACES), lower is better; the share of households with someone under 18 (Census ACS), higher is better.
Compare: States with Similar Families Rankings
Also See: Maine for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maine a good state for families?
Maine ranks #14 out of 50 for families with a persona-weighted score of 78.6/100. Its strongest relevant category is Safety (95/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (45/100).
What is the best city for families in Maine?
Brunswick ranks #1 in Maine for families with a score of 72.3/100, followed by South Portland and Westbrook.
What factors are most important for families in Maine?
Rankings weighted toward education quality, public safety, affordable housing, healthcare, and community livability — the factors that matter most to families with children.